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Frequently Asked Questions
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Contact us for answers to your questions not shown in our FAQs.
- What is SpotScout?
- SpotScout is your online marketplace for real-time parking information and parking reservations.
Think of it as an eBay style marketplace yet with a Craigslist simplicity tailored specifically for hourly and daily parking spots. SpotScout is also a ratings-based community; it facilitates electronic payment, calculates garage and private spot rates by hours or days, it even calculates how far parking spaces are walking distance from your final destination.
Individuals in need of a parking spot (we refer to them as ‘SpotScouts’) can search for, compare, and even pre-purchase parking spots (where reservations are accepted) through a desktop computer or Web-enabled mobile phone using most standard browsers you’ll find out there on the web.
Our users will find the cheapest or closest garage, reserve someone’s private spot that isn’t being used, and source future departure information from the owners of vehicles in on-street spots.
Private spot owners, private and public professional parking facilities, even soon those occupying on-street spots (we call them ‘SpotCasters’) may use SpotScout’s marketplace and parking community to broadcast information about their available parking spaces and how/when they’ll allow someone to use them or find them.
Garage operators can use SpotScout to help fill their empty spaces.
Private spot owners can earn some extra cash anytime their space may be vacant. Registered SpotScout users occupying an on-street spot soon will be able to make money by broadcasting when and where in the future their vehicle will be leaving that space. (In this iteration, however, iteration 1.0.10, that feature is not available.)
- What is SpotScouting™?
- "SpotScouting" is the act of "scouting" for reliable information on the availability of hourly and daily spaces in high-demand areas. A 'SpotScout' is an individual looking for a spot, hence the name of our company.
- What is SpotCasting™?
- "SpotCasting" is the act of broadcasting information about your space(s) to allow others to find and/or use it.
- Can I be a SpotScout AND a SpotCaster at the same time?
- Definitely! We encourage you to take advantage of both sides of our marketplace’s equation. You’ll be able to find a space more easily AND reap the financial and community sharing rewards of posting your spot.
- Do I have to signup or register to use SpotScout’s search capabilities?
- Not if you only want to search and price out spaces.
However, if and when you’d like to reserve them you will need to register with us and create your own SpotScout account. It is also necessary to create an account to SpotCast your own spot for others to use when you’re not using it.
Also, creating an account has many benefits:
- You can save your frequently visited locations.
- You can save and personalize your information, such as the size, model, or color of the vehicles you drive (which makes the process much faster and is needed to confirm any reservation).
- You can post your own space(s) (SpotCasting).
- You can even guarantee yourself a space and reserve in advance!
And most importantly, it costs you nothing to sign up!
- Is using SpotScout free? How do you make money?
- SpotScout is FREE for individuals or firms posting spaces and for any individuals looking to price out or find spaces. Simply put, we do not charge to list a space. However, when a SpotScout wants to reserve your parking space, we charge them a fixed $.50 fee and 6.9% of your final and total asking price in order to reserve it.
For example, if you post your driveway as being available from 8am-6pm, Monday - Saturday, for $5 an hour, and I choose to reserve it from 1-3pm, it would cost me $10 for the spot, and $1.19 in fees, for a total of $11.19. However, as the SpotCaster, you would receive the full $10 you asked for, for those 2 hours of use.
- Where can I use SpotScout?
- SpotScout can be useful anywhere you’re driving, but it is mostly useful in high-demand areas (in cities, near beaches, stadiums, events, etc). We are adding more parking information all the time!
You can SpotCast your driveway or apartment space no matter where you are in the United States!
- Will SpotScout be available nationwide?
- Yes. SpotScout will launch nationwide in May of 2010 but initially we have been concentrating on establishing partnerships with garages and private SpotCasters in our early test markets: Boston, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.
If you want SpotScout to work well in your area, help spread the word and get people to add their spots to the market. The more people that join and share information, the more likely it is that you will find that perfect spot right when you need it!
- Can SpotScout be used by my company employees or sales staff?
- Absolutely. Being late because you can't find parking shouldn’t be an excuse in this day and age.
Additionally, SpotScout can help facilitate the use of spots in the area. For example, parking spaces may be needed during the day by businesses and at night by local residents.
- Is SpotScout able to be used from a mobile device as well as a computer?
- Our early tests have shown SpotScout’s marketplace is currently accessible from most standard web browsers and web enabled cellular phones or MIDs (Mobile Internet devices). We are also hard at work on both an iPhone and Android applications for you to use soon as well. Note: *Our user interface may vary from device to device.* If your browser does not format SpotScout correctly, please do let us know, so we can make it happen.
Finding a spot on the go is important, and we’re going to be adding support for more and more mobile devices as are available in the near future.
- Can any mobile phone use your marketplace, or do I need a smart phone?
- Most web-enabled phones or MID (Mobile Internet Device) will work with the present version of SpotScout, Iteration 1.0.10.
- Do I need to download SpotScout to my phone, like I do with a ring tone or game?
- No. Just type in www.spotscout.com in your mobile device’s browser bar, hit enter and you should be good to go!
- Can I use SpotScout through my in-car personal navigation system or OnStar?
- Not at the moment. We are working to make SpotScout available through like-minded GPS based personal navigation companies in the near future - hopefully by Fall of 2010.
- How do I know people using your market aren’t SpotCasting false information?
- Both the SpotScout and SpotCaster must rate each other on punctuality, location quality, reliability of information, and ease of their overall transaction. Like eBay, the vast majority of users look at others user’s ratings and feedback before deciding to trade. If a user SpotCasts false or incorrect information they are likely to receive a bad rating which in turn will decrease the likelihood that someone will trade with them in the future. Note* SpotScout, Inc. is in no way responsible or liable in any way for any false information posted on its market. Use SpotScout at your own risk.
Any abuse of the system will be taken very seriously however, not just by the community, but by SpotScout, Inc. as a company trying to help others.
- Can SpotScouts and SpotCasters negotiate price? Is there bidding like Ebay?
- No, presently there are no negotiating or bidding capabilities within SpotScout. It’s first come, first reserve.
SpotCasters set their own price, but the market will ultimately determine the validity of their price.
- I don't have a car, so why would I sign up?
- We have three good reasons for you to consider it.
1) If you have a driveway or an unused parking space with your house or apartment, you could be earning money by SpotCasting it!
2) If you are an occasional car renter, SpotScout will very likely come in handy during your travels.
3) You can also use SpotScout to help you find spaces for visiting friends or relatives who may be arriving from out of town.
Remember, signing up and using SpotScout is free!
- How can I tell others about SpotScout?
- We spent a lot of time and effort building SpotScout, and many of us gave up a lot to bring this idea to being so we’d really appreciate it if you did. And we encourage you to pass SpotScout along – the more people in the marketplace, the better it will be for everyone!
People interested in SpotScouting and/or SpotCasting can sign up at our website, www.spotscout.com
- What is the current version of SpotScout?
- The version No. of the current deployed release is v1.1.0
Questions about SpotScouting
- How will I pay someone for using their space?
- Consumers pay other consumers, electronically. No cash will trade hands. You may pay a SpotCaster at the moment using a PayPal account though soon we will also allow you to pay with a debit card and or credit card and or PayPal accounts. In the future, students at participating universities will be able to use campus cash cards.
SpotScout, Inc. processes each transaction, creating a privacy wall between both parties and electronically transfers all monies to the party whose space or departure information has been purchased by a SpotScout.
- How far in advance can SpotScout help me find and reserve a parking spot?
- There is no set reservation period. SpotScout is a real-time information marketplace, so depending on the parties who are offering their spaces (or information about the future availability of the space their vehicle occupies), a person may have 2 minutes, an hour, a month, or perhaps even longer to reserve a spot.
Additionally, SpotCasters may have recurring periods of availability, which would allow you to reserve the same space more than once. For example, if every Friday you have a meeting downtown, you could potentially reserve the same space.
- How far in advance may I cancel a reservation that I already made with a SpotCaster?
- SpotCasters determine their cancellation policy ahead of posting their space for others to use. A SpotScout may only receive their money back if they cancel prior to the minimum notice requirement. If a SpotScout cancels after the minimum notice, the money is not returned.
- When can I get a refund?
- Each situation may be different. We encourage SpotScouts and SpotCasters to work with each other to resolve outstanding issues; however, we will do everything we can to help settle any disagreements resulting in our users being disappointed. It will ultimately be up to SpotScout, Inc. to determine the situation warranting a user asking for a refund. We ask for your patience in such a situation as we do not provide customer support for this Beta iteration.
- How do I get a refund?
- Refunds may only be given if a SpotScout has not received the private space or garage space they have prepaid for. SpotCasters who allow this to happen not only threaten their own reputation on the market, but also risk being pulled off the market altogether, permanently. (At SpotScout, Inc.’s discretion).
SpotScout will investigate to the best of its resources when this has taken place and who is responsible for an unsuccessful transaction. Should you NOT receive the space you have prepaid for, please contact cs@spotscout.com as soon as possible.
- What happens if I am late departing from my pre-paid space?
- Garages will charge you their normal drive in rates for the time you stayed past your prepaid period. The rates will start from the hour/moment your time has expired and your vehicle is still in their facility. SpotScout will send you a reminder text or email message before your time expires, but it is up to you to move your vehicle on time.
When using someone else’s private spot, you risk being towed because your vehicle is no longer permitted to be in that space. Also, you will be subject to a poor rating.
- Do I rate garages, or just private SpotCasters?
- You’ll rate both. And the private SpotCaster will rate you. Note: *Garages do not rate our marketplace’s users however.* Garages taking greater pride in the appearance, maintenance and safety of their property will naturally receive higher ratings.
- Can SpotScout direct me to the spot nearest my destination?
- Yes. SpotScout’s interface allows you to reorder the parking options by walking distance to your final destination.
There are many filters to choose from when you look for a parking spot on SpotScout. The two most often used filters are “closest” and “cheapest”, but you can also search by rating, garage only, private only, on-street only, handicapped, or resident only filters are coming soon.
We will also inform you how much they will charge you for the specific hours of the day or night you want to park your vehicle, where the walking entrances and exits are, what payment options the party accepts which businesses locally validate for that specific facility, and lots more information you might want to know.
- I have several cars and each is different in size and color, amongst other things.
How does the system know which car I am driving when I want to make a reservation at a garage or a private space?
- During our registration process we’ll ask you to describe the make, model, year and color of each vehicle you’ll be using with your SpotScout account. Every time you make a reservation at a garage or with a private SpotCaster, SpotScout’s software will prompt you to confirm which of the vehicles in your account that you are driving just before you accept and pay for your reservation. This information and your user ID is then sent to the SpotCasting party (the one giving you the space) so that they may recognize you.
Note* Vehicle information will not be furnished to on-street SpotCasters like it is with garages and private SpotCasters. This will prevent them from physically holding the space for another individual who has purchased their departure information. Reserving a public space for a specific individual in many cities is considered against the law.
- Why were there no results when I searched for parking?
- We may not yet have a parking community started in your city or there just may not be any parking spots available in the specific location you requested at the time you requested. You may find the spot you’re looking for by expanding your search’s walking distance or changing your search criteria by time of day or address…. email us with any suggestions you have so we can better help you if this happens to you!
This is a new concept and it will take time for the marketplace’s reach to exist everywhere. We ask for your patience while our marketplace increases in size.
- Using a cellular phone can certainly be distracting while driving. Won't it take my eyes off the road?
- We agree. As with any application, accessing and searching SpotScout’s marketplace for a spot is safer when pulled over to the side of the road. It takes 15 seconds or less to use SpotScout to view results and choose a space, and though it’s short, we still recommend pulling over to the side of the road in a safe place if you are alone, or giving your phone to a passenger for the actual parking search. Thirty seconds is generally nothing compared to the time most people spend searching for parking in high demand areas.
Questions about SpotCasting by Private Spot Owners
- What does "SpotCast" mean?
- SpotCast (verb) - To broadcast information about present and future parking availability to a web-based marketplace of parking information.
The term "SpotCast" is a combination of the words “spot” and “broadcast.”SpotCasting a space informs others what particular time it will be available and exactly where it is.
Sharing information about when and where space will be available in crowded places is a valuable community service that we seek to encourage through our mobile information network and marketplace.
SpotCaster (noun) – A person who broadcasts information to others about parking availability to a marketplace via a web-based information network.
SpotCasters can be both individuals and institutions: Individual SpotCasters may either own (or lease) a private parking space, or know of their plans to depart from a public space at a specific time. Institutional SpotCasters (garage/parking lots) own and professionally manage a number of parking spaces.
- How much does it cost for me to SpotCast my spot?
- Absolutely nothing. It’s free! There are no listing fees and only the SpotScouts pay transaction fees.
- After posting my private space, how will I be paid?
- You will be paid by SpotScout, Inc. directly through PayPal. Funds debited from the reserving party’s (the SpotScout’s) PayPal account will go directly from SpotScout, Inc. to your PayPal account.
- How soon will I be paid for the use of my spot?
- Your PayPal account should be credited the same day someone reserves your spot, unless it is reserved after 5pm, and then you should expect the payment the following business day.
- Why should I list my spot with SpotScout?
- 1) SpotCasting is an easy way to make money from something that’s not being used. You’ll also be participating positively in your community.
2) SpotCasting your spot is free. And easy to do!
3) You can legitimately say you are (a) contributing to a cleaner environment (by assisting others reduce unnecessary gas spent trying to find a spot), (b) helping others, and (c) improving your community (by helping reduce traffic, congestion, etc.).
4) We’ve got the best spot selling interface out there. And it’s only getting better, too!
Side Benefit: You can think of SpotCasting as a return on your investment or a way to offset your costs (for gas, rent, etc).
- What’s the best way to market my private spot to others and precisely tell others how to use it?
- To maximize your opportunities to have someone reserve your space, here are our suggestions when SpotCasting:
1) If you can, correctly input your spot’s address, rather than your home’s mailing address. Sometime a SpotCaster’s parking spot or driveway may be behind a building, rather than next to it. When a SpotScout decides they want to reserve your parking spot, once they pay for it, they will be directed to the address you put in when you SpotCast. The more precise you are, the less anyone may be confused where your spot physically is located.
2) Use our ‘Description’ field to market your private spot to others. An interested party has a high likelihood of viewing this prior to reserving it. Speak to the things around your space that might make it valuable. For example, “My spot is a 5 min. walk to the Lighthouse Beach,” or “excellent distance from Restaurant Bouché,” or “it’s right across from the Alewife inbound train station. Great spot for daily commuters.”
3) Use our Special Instructions field to tell your incoming SpotScouts what you want them to do when parking in your spot. Examples are: “please park next to the fence,” “don’t be loud if you can help it,” etc.
4) Remember to price your spot fairly according to what you determine demand may be.
- How do you price a private space when SpotCasting?
- SpotScout, Inc. does not fix prices or influence prices for spots on its market; we only provide the marketplace and communications between parties so they may trade with each other in a trusted community environment. We do not and will not tell you how much your parking space(s) is worth for the hours or days you offer it to your community.
Our recommendation is to assess what your local parking environment might be like ahead of time, and price your space accordingly to it. You might even visit a local garage and look at their rates.
The simple rule is that if you post your space and you don't get any bidders, you might be overpricing it. But don’t worry! Our software allows you to easily re-post it with a lower rate anytime you want.
- What if the SpotScout who took my private space is still occupying it after their prepaid time in my space has elapsed?
- Ultimately, we don’t want to tell you what to do here, but we encourage patience.
Most SpotScouts will want their market rating to remain intact and will respect the terms and conditions of using your space. Sometimes however, we all run a little late. We’d like to encourage SpotCasters to give late returning SpotScouts some amount of ‘reasonable’ time before taking any action. But this will vary by situation.
We do recommend that you establish and communicate your rules of use upfront (in your SpotCast Special Instructions field) and also rate the person accordingly. Here are a few things to follow:
First, we strongly recommend that SpotCasters detail any rules of conduct they may have for the use of their space in their Special Instructions field prior to posting it onto SpotScout’s market. IE: “If you’re late more than ‘30’ minutes, I’ll have to tow. Thanks.” This can be done in a SpotCaster’s Special Instructions field.
Secondly, you may take a bite out of the person’s rating, which may hurt them later on when they need to find a space.
Thirdly, every SpotScout reserving a spot receives a text and/or email confirmation message defining the hours they have purchased the use of your space. This acts to reinforce hours of use of your spot.
- How many times a day can I SpotCast my spot?
- That’s entirely up to you and the hours you make your spot available! We’ve allowed our software to accept back to back reservations for you; however, we have added a 15 min buffer in after the prior reserving SpotScout’s time is over, just to be safe. That’s done because we all can be a couple of minutes late from time to time. An example of this is: if I post my spot as being available from 12-5pm and a SpotScout reserves it from 1-3pm, the soonest another SpotScout reservation will be accepted will be 3:15pm.
- How far in advance may a SpotScout cancel their reservation for my space?
- SpotCasters specify their cancellation policy ahead of posting their space for others to use. A SpotScout may only cancel prior to the minimum notice requirement. If the SpotScout cancels after the minimum notice, the money is not returned.
- Who can rent out a parking space?
- Any person or business with a legitimate right to a parking space that may be empty at times can SpotCast their spot using our marketplace. You may not however SpotCast someone else’s space - especially without their express written permission. *Note, users of SpotScout’s marketplace are and will be fully responsible for ANY AND ALL actions taken that do not adhere to local laws. We encourage all SpotCasters to investigate and abide by local laws regarding SpotCasting.*
- I have a driveway. It’s near a train station stop. Can I make money from it by broadcasting its availability on your market??
- Certainly! Spots near mass transportation points, popular businesses, and popular destinations are always in high demand. Anytime your space or driveway is empty, it has the chance of earning you money.
- My spot will not accommodate an SUV, it’s not that big. Can you restrict what size of vehicle may park in my spot?
- Yes! Within the SpotCasting process, we ask SpotCasters what the largest vehicle type their parking spot can accommodate. We also ask our future SpotScouts to enter information about their vehicle, including their vehicle type. We then simply filter the results accordingly, to avoid sending someone to your spot in a vehicle that won’t fit. Our software also allows SpotCasters to inform others of height restrictions for their spots, should potential SpotScouts have taller vehicle requirements.
- I rent my parking space (or share it as part of my condominium community), can I still SpotCast it?
- In this situation we recommend getting approval/permission to SpotCast your space. If you need to give a SpotScout a temporary permit to be in your space, you must announce it in your SpotCast as part of the selling process. Doing so ensures a good community.
In the future, a group of individuals may be allowed to SpotCast their spaces with one person acting as the manager.
- Will I know in advance who is taking my private space?
- Yes, to a degree you will but to protect all our users’ privacy, we do not provide our marketplace’s SpotCasters with the actual names, home addresses, or license plate numbers of incoming SpotScouts. As a SpotCaster you will however always receive the make, model, year and color of the incoming vehicle and the SpotScout’s user ID as well as their time of arrival, and departure. We also provide you with a 9 digit alpha numeric transaction ID for your own record keeping.
Coming soon, you’ll even be able to choose to proactively filter and then accept reservations only from those with a certain rating.
- What will the SpotScout who reserves my space receive?
- The SpotScout who has reserved your private space will receive the address of your spot, a 9 digit alpha numeric confirmation code, any customized comments you may want them to know, and driving directions to your private spot. You’ll also be able to put in your own comments, like: "Park next to the steps, and away from the flowers." This helps describe the behavior you expect of your SpotScout.
Coming soon, you’ll also be able to choose preset messages like: "Please be courteous, I have neighbors." Or "Please do not leave any trash behind."
- What’s the difference between Pending and Past Transactions in my account?
- ‘Pending Transactions’ are reservations you have made for others’ parking spots that have not happened yet, and also for reservations in the future for your own spot. *Note: a ‘Pending Transaction’ becomes a ‘Past Transaction’ 15 minutes after a reservations starting time begins.*
- I already post my spot with Craigslist. What’s the difference between SpotScout and Craigslist?
- Craigslist is great. We like them. Their bulletin board is good if you want to find a spot to park your car for longer periods, like monthly or yearly.
Unlike Craigslist, SpotScout is dedicated to helping our users find parking spaces near and around their final destinations on the fly. Our marketplace and search mechanisms are tailored more for short-term parking spots which come and go very quickly. It is made to help you find a spot for a day, a ball game, a restaurant reservation, and or even for an hour or two. It also allows parking to be associated with (and searchable by) points of interest (POIs), like Fenway Park or Grill 23.
And SpotScout is a ratings-based community; it facilitates electronic payment, calculates garage and private spot rates by hour and days, and sources how far the spaces are walking distance from your final destination.
That being said, we still give them a respectful nod for helping people find long-term spaces.
- I know by posting my space, I can make some money, but is it really true I am helping the environment?
- Yes, it is certainly true. When someone drives from point A to point B without circling the block to find a parking space, they save a lot of gas. That extra gas otherwise spent becomes harmful, unnecessary emissions. Multiplied by thousands of people in thousands of cities – what seems to be a small reduction becomes dramatically more significant for all of us.
With more people finding spots quicker it decreases congestion and idling time, as well as stopping and starting emissions, all of which helps reduce our collective carbon footprints.
- Will I be responsible for a SpotScout’s safety when they are using my private space?
- No. Every SpotScout who reserves your space is responsible for their own safety when using another’s parking spot and also when coming or going from that spot. SpotScout, Inc. additionally makes no claims to ensure user safety nor is liable for accidents, malicious acts, or damages occurring when using another person’s spot or property. Please see our Terms and Conditions for further details.
Questions about SpotCasting by Professional Parking Facilities
- I manage/own a garage. How will SpotScout benefit my business?
- SpotScout is a direct compliment to your existing business. And it’s free, so there is nothing to lose! Only the opportunity to improve business…
With SpotScout, parking facilities can increase driver awareness of their facilities, extend their marketing, and flaunt their services beyond physical visual range.
Professionally run garages may also use our simple but powerful tools to help optimize their parking spaces and increase revenues and profits.
Garage facilities may opt to take advanced, prepaid reservations from consumers who might have never known of your facilities’ location, rates, or reputation.
Additionally, because we allow individuals to search for parking around their specific “points-of-interest” destinations, and not just addresses, we can help garages understand which local businesses may be directly anchoring your revenues
- How much does SpotScout cost?
- Nothing. There are no charges and no investment required. It costs nothing to set up an account, nothing to manage your own information and extend your marketing, and nothing to take reservations with SpotScout.
- Do I have to sign a contract to maintain my own information?
- No. There is no contract to sign.
We ask that you sign a Memorandum of Understanding which goes the basic terms and conditions of maintaining your own information. However, it is NOT a contract that ties you into any sort of time commitment or otherwise.
- What do you mean manage my own (garages) information?
- Managing your own information allows you to promote your business accurately, advertise any services, amenities, etc. that you have, keep up a good rating in the community, and increase the likelihood of new drivers choosing YOUR garage to park their vehicle in.
We believe that keeping your information up-to-date helps your business, and we recommend that you manage your own info – after all, you know your business the best!
- What information can we make available?
- Whatever you’re comfortable with! SpotScout displays your facility’s address, hours, rates, where users can pay, basic amenities, pictures of your facility, nearby validating businesses and promotional messages, specials and special programs. There are over 70 pieces of information we allow you to choose from when describing your parking facility.
- How will you help me to promote my facility?
- SpotScout gives you the ability to determine what those future parkers may see. You have control over what users see about your garage, its services & amenities, and the environment and businesses it serves.
- How long does it take to update my information?
- Registering a facility may take 5-10 minutes depending on how thorough you want to be. However, after the initial set up, updating content (for instance updating your rates) may take 30 seconds or less. It is very easy and quick to make changes to your SpotScout account and the details it provides consumers with about your facilities.
- Who updates my facility’s information?
- You may decide who in your organization may be responsible for updating your information. Upon registration, you indicate to us who is authorized, and we will provide them with the log in information. Should the person leave your firm, he/she can easily be removed and new person added to manage the account.
- How often can I update my information?
- As often as you like! Our web based garage content management interface is open 24x7. We recommend that you keep your information up-to-date so drivers view accurate information and have a positive experience when using your facility.
- How do I update information?
- SpotScout offers a facility management section on SpotScout.com. Upon login you may change rates, hours, pictures, messaging, specials, etc. These changes are possible at any time of day or night and with any frequency you see fit.
- How may I communicate with you I have a question or problem?
- We are available through email and we will also provide a direct number to call.
- What do I need to do to start?
- Just a Web connection and computer. We’ll need you to provide contact information to us and indicate who is authorized to update your information. Then, we will provide you with login information, and you will be ready to start!
- Why should I take pre-paid (advanced) reservations with SpotScout?
- Taking advanced pre-paid reservations with SpotScout is a great way to boost sales and stabilize revenues during low usage. You can open new revenue opportunities with local businesses that draw your future customers and have real-time pricing flexibility.
Once you decide exactly how much inventory you’d prefer to place on SpotScout’s market and how much you want to charge for it, you can easily place it on our market in real-time and all through a single, easy-to-use web-based interface. This can help you increase your sales with very little effort.
- How will I actually take the reservations themselves?
- Again, through our (free) facility management section on SpotScout.com. Our online management console allows you to:
- Accept pre-purchased reservations
- Have real-time pricing flexibility
- Open new revenue opportunities
- Lock in new drivers to your garage in advance
- Do I have to sign a contract to take reservations?
- No. You will have to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that goes over the dos and don’ts of taking pre-paid (advanced) reservations.
This is necessary to establish an understanding between both parties – your firm and SpotScout, Inc. We want long-term partners who want to grow their business, so we deem it an appropriate measure to stipulate how both parties will work together. But again, you will not be tied into any time or other type of commitment.
- What will I need to take reservations?
- A fax at the minimum. But if the facility has a computer with a printer that receives email, or a mobile phone that accepts text messages, those will ultimately work best. SpotScout will work with you to determine which communication method is best for your facility.
You’ll also need a PayPal account so you can receive your funds.
- How will we be paid by the people who reserve a spot in my facilities?
- You will be paid through PayPal. Payment will be sent directly to your PayPal account. If you don’t already have one, you will need to set up a PayPal account.
Questions about on-street departure information
- Can a SpotCaster sell a public space?
- No. A SpotCaster can NOT sell a public space. No one can sell or attempt to hold a public space for another person! Not only is that unfair to the rest of us, it is also illegal in many areas. On-street SpotCasting, which is vastly different from Private SpotCasting on SpotScout’s marketplace, is a very restricted process that allows the selling of an individual’s vehicle departure or vacancy information from a certain address at a certain time of day.
This includes when exactly and where exactly a SpotCaster is leaving from a public space.
Access to information about a specific vehicle's time and place of departure can significantly increase one’s chances of being first in line to use it.
- How much is the information about an on-street departure?
- SpotScout, Inc. does not set prices on its market.
On street SpotCasters will set their OWN prices for their departure information. However the marketplace itself in the end will ultimately determine whether the demand for a SpotCaster’s departure information is fair or reasonably priced.
Environmental and Community Questions
- Is it true that by participating in SpotScout’s market, I will help the Environment? How?
- Yes. It is true! Reduced auto emissions and gas conservation come directly from helping individuals not have to search for parking spaces.
Some researchers estimate that up to 40% of city traffic is caused by drivers circling around, looking for a parking space.
One recent study conducted about a 15-block area on Manhattan’s Upper West Side revealed data that each year, while looking for parking in this 15-block area, drivers spend 50,000 hours driving 366,000 miles, wasting $130,000 in gas, and generating 325 tons of CO2.
The environmental impact of 325 tons of CO2 is the equivalent of planting 64,000 new trees or replacing 8,000 incandescent light bulbs.
- What is the ‘EV charging’ feature mean for me if I SpotCast a spot?
- SpotScout, Inc. likes being on the environmental forefront for clean, community supportive technologies, especially those technologies that help our environment.
EV stands for ‘Electric Vehicle’. We here at SpotScout figured why not help our EV driving community members since they can’t gas up everywhere that our existing petroleum cars can. Most EVs on the road today can charge themselves up by connecting to a standard 110v charge from any common orange extension cord, though it will take them a long time to fully charge. The next level of quick chargers will begin to be sold this fall. No matter which home charger you may have, slow or fast, our SpotCasting interface will allow them to be shared when they are not being used.
If you have an electric outlet that an EV vehicle owner may plug into when parked in your space, our EV charging feature provides an additional pricing capacity to offer someone needing a simultaneous charge along with a parking spot. Think of it this way: someone driving through your community on their way to their destination with an EV may need not only a spot but a charge as well. And someday if you have an EV yourself, you may need theirs. It’s a great way to share resources.
- I have a plug and an extension cord. And I’d like to make use of this feature. How does it work?
- Great! In your SpotCast’s EV charging field, select ‘Available’. Then decide a price that you’d like for a SpotScout to pay for a hourly charge. Generally, most electric vehicles cost $2-$2.50/hr during the day to charge, and $1-$2 at night. This hourly charge will be incorporated into their final total if and when they reserve your spot!
- What if I cannot or do not want to offer them this but I do I want to SpotCast my spot?
- Easy. Simply click “Unavailable” in the EV charging field. The hourly pricing field will be grayed out and not calculated into their final price for your spot.
Account Administration
- What happens if I forget my account password?
- You can request a password reset on our log in page. A create your new password email will be sent to the email address you put on file with SpotScout when you first registered.
- How do I change my password within my account itself?
- In the ‘my account’ section, under the Account Information tab, you can change your password.
- Does SpotScout provide customer service?
- Unfortunately, this is SpotScout’s Beta, and although we’d like to, we simply do not have the resources at this time to. Until we can, we strongly encourage both our market’s SpotScouts and SpotCasters to work with each other to manage each other’s expectations, and to work through any small problems that may arise during trading. SpotScout, Inc. does not guarantee transactions in any way shape or form. Please see SpotScout’s Terms and Conditions for more information.
- But you’re taking a transaction fee from each SpotScout reservation. Shouldn’t this allow for customer support?
- We wish it did. Presently the small fee we take only helps us cover PayPal’s variable transaction costs. The primary reason SpotScout, Inc. processes the transaction as the middle man is to keep a privacy wall between both parties so that direct communications are limited after each transaction, and to allow SpotCasters to accept electronic payments, rather than having to accept cash for their spots.
- I’ve noticed some hourly or daily garage prices posted on your Beta may be slightly incorrect. How can I help improve this? I want to help make parking easier for everyone, not just me.
- First off, if you actually say this, you are more awesome than you even know. We here at SpotScout strive for accuracy on all levels, especially for pricing, so it’s very important to us that we’re as accurate as possible! Garage facilities are presently responsible though for updating their own information on our market however. Should their prices (or any other data) be off when you arrive at their facility, it could simply be because they haven’t updated it recently. We’d kindly ask you to inform the facility manager of this so that he/she may bring whatever information they have up to date.
- I’ve noticed there may be bug in your application. How can I report it?
- Absolutely! We really appreciate being told if something’s slightly amiss. This is our Beta after all, and though we’ve spent many, many hours testing it, it’s not perfect. Please send any bugs you may find to info@spotscout.com. We’ll do everything we can to get them fixed as soon as possible.
- How can I get updates on SpotScout’s progress or if there are system wide updates underway?
- For real time updates, feel free to follow us on Twitter. SpotScout’s Twitter name is @SpotScoutDotCom
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